Jhapa-5: Young Candidate Ranjit Tamang Challenges Political Extremes with Focus on Governance and New Generation's Aspirations

Jhapa Constituency No. 5 has become the epicenter of national politics amidst the upcoming House of Representatives elections. Among the competitors featuring 'heavyweight' leaders, a young face representing the CPN (UML) is Ranjit Tamang.

Tamang, who describes Jhapa-5 as being caught between two different extremes, has entered the electoral arena with the main agenda of realizing the rebellion of the new generation and the dreams of the martyrs. Advocating for a directly elected executive system, good governance, and strong anti-corruption laws as his primary issues, he claims that the old political parties and systems have failed.

Urging major leaders not to view him as a 'pitiable' or weak candidate, he stated that he has already won the hearts of the people based on agenda and integrity. He completely dismissed market rumors about withdrawing his candidacy or supporting others as the election nears. Presented below is a brief conversation with candidate Tamang in Damak, Jhapa:

• Aren't you participating in a kind of confrontation or, let's say, a bloodless war in Jhapa-5?

It would sound better if we say that the Sukkhani Martyrs' Day falls on Falgun 21. The unfinished task of the revolution, fulfilling the martyrs' dreams, is being completed through the rebellion of the new generation in Jhapa.

• In the kind of confrontation seen here, haven't you felt marginalized or squeezed?

No. The country is afflicted by extremism, and this is what is causing the nation's destruction. That extremism has now collided here in Jhapa Constituency No. 5. Rather than making me feel marginalized, it has made it easier for me to clarify my points to the public. It has become easier to explain to the people that what we used to see from afar yesterday, you are now seeing face-to-face and directly on the streets and in your homes.

• One person's slogan here is 'Good Governance,' another's is 'Prosperity.' What is your core slogan?

My core message is to transform the frustration of the new generation into hope. It is to bring the dissatisfaction, poor governance, and chaos in the country into a rule-of-law system. The old parliament and the old system are almost a failure. Therefore, my agenda is based on the priorities of the new generation: a directly elected executive, strong anti-corruption laws, access for all to health, education, employment, drinking water, electricity, rights for landless squatters, and development based on local priorities with incentives for farmers. Overall, organizing various sectors is my main slogan.

• In the previous election, you had one election symbol, and now you have a different one, and the party is also different. How will this new election symbol affect the election?

It won't have much effect. Today's world is a digital world. Many parties have merged to form a new name and a new election symbol. This new election symbol has succeeded in embedding itself in the minds of every voter so quickly that it is one basis for our victory and the acceptance of the general public.

We need to carry out voter education a bit more intensively among certain marginalized and backward communities. But today, it is clear to every leader—be they traders, businesspeople, intellectuals, teachers, or employees—that the sun will set in Jhapa Constituency No. 5, and the star will rise. Everyone has realized this. Just as the sun sets, night falls, and the star twinkles, everyone now knows that the sun will set, and the star will rise.

• Hearing many things, there is talk that you might withdraw your candidacy at the end or support someone else. We also hear your coordinator saying something to that effect. What is this?

I promise that I will absolutely not spare those who incite and kill the new generation. I just finished speaking with our party's coordinator before talking to you. Any rumor circulating in the market is not true. He told me, 'Go and defeat the two extremes without hindrance; I will give you a ministry in the future in a way that respects the people of Jhapa, as I promised you.'

Two prime ministerial aspirants are competing here. If I come after defeating two prime ministers, then becoming a minister shouldn't be difficult, right (laughs)? I urge everyone to be completely assured—I came to defeat the two extremes; I am not someone who will easily back down, get flustered, or retreat midway. Don't spread misconceptions.

• From the outside, you appear somewhat 'pitiable' between two major forces. How will you escape this circle of two extremes?

Rather than being 'pitiable,' I have already won the hearts of the people in terms of agenda and issues. Every voter, and people from all parties, say that Ranjit Tamang is the most outstanding and qualified candidate in terms of agenda and issues among the candidates here. I view that as my asset and a positive aspect.

I am not a 'pitiable' candidate based on my accountability, responsibility towards national and local agendas and issues, and my own presentation to the general voters. I have received the opportunity to prove myself as a capable and qualified candidate among the voters.